Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook says India’s move to replace its largest-denomination bank notes with newly designed ones has presented a challenge in India, but the tech giant is still bullish on sales growth in the South Asian nation. Speaking on a call with analysts Tuesday after Apple announced last quarter results, Mr. Cook said “despite the demonetization move in India that created lots of economic pressure there last […]
India is looking at a radical idea for reducing poverty: free money for everyone—no strings attached. The Ministry of Finance’s annual survey of the economy, released Tuesday, explores how the country might replace its various welfare programs with a universal basic income, or a uniform stipend paid to every adult and child, poor or rich. Guaranteeing all citizens enough income to cover their basic needs would promote […]
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal will liveblog India’s budget from 11 a.m. India time (12.30 a.m. ET, 5.30 a.m. GMT) as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presents his spending plans to Parliament. The government will likely announce measures aimed at easing some of the pain caused a cash crunch that followed its drastic and unexpected move to cancel and replace 86% of the country’s currency. Follow the […]
Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is set to present the federal budget on Wednesday, when the government will reveal its plans to steer the economy out of a self-inflicted slowdown. New Delhi’s move in November to crack down on corruption and tax avoidance by voiding 86% of high-value bank notes slammed the brakes on economic activity and threatens to snatch away India’s coveted position as the world’s […]
Vodafone is in talks about a merger of its Indian operations with rival Idea Cellular, a deal that would create a mobile network with around 370m users and form one of the largest telecoms companies in the world. The British mobile operator said in a statement on Monday that it was “in discussions” with Aditya Birla Group about an all-share deal. Vodafone shares rose more than 3 […]
Jan 30, 2017 11:26 am IST India’s space agency will next month attempt to launch 104 satellites from a single rocket, a mission that could land it in the record books. The Indian Space Research Organization plans to use its workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, to carry three satellites from India, and 101 smaller nano satellites from five countries—the U.S., Netherlands, Israel, Kazakhstan and Switzerland into orbit. If […]
One of the most thought-provoking installations at the current edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in southern India is by French-Indian artist Chittrovanu Mazumdar. Spread out over four rooms, the interactive artwork invites the visitor to walk through dark tunnels and wider spaces featuring tangled wires, suspended lights inside metal bowls and boxes stuffed with metal and scraps. With time the key theme, the work is intended to […]
Pakistan’s media regulator has banned Aamir Liaquat Husain, one of the country’s best known TV hosts, over alleged hate speech and incitement to violence, after he made comments on his show that activists warned could threaten their safety. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority said Thursday Mr. Husain “willfully and repeatedly” made derogatory remarks and accused various people of being “anti-state and anti-Islam.” Mr. Husain, who hosts […]
Jan 27, 2017 11:49 am IST India celebrated its 68th Republic Day on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, for events in New Delhi. The crown prince was treated to a showcase of India’s military might during a parade along Raj Path, the city’s ceremonial boulevard, while other celebrations took place across the country. Here are […]
Vijay Mallya has denied that he fled India leaving behind $1.3bn of unpaid loans, after Indian authorities this week charged the billionaire industrialist with criminal conspiracy, dishonesty and corruption in an effort to secure his extradition from the UK. In a series of tweets late on Thursday night, Mr Mallya said that there was “no final judicial determination on what Kingfisher Airlines owes to banks and what […]
NEW DELHI // Thousands braved inclement weather while warmly greeting the chief guest, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, at the Republic Day parade in the Indian capital on Thursday. Despite wet and cold conditions, the 68th edition of the celebrations took place as scheduled in front of Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Indian president, Pranab Mukherjee, Indian prime […]
Agreement exchanged in presence of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and India’s PM Narendra Modi Abu Dhabi, UAE – January 25, 2016 In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves […]
NEW DELHI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on Wednesday held official talks with Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India. The leaders discussed boosting ties between the two countries as well as several regional and international issues, including terrorism and violence. Sheikh Mohammed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the Armed Forces, met Mr Modi at Hyderabad House in the capital. Mr Modi […]
Writing today in The National, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, pledge new and enhanced cooperation on defence, trade, investment, food security, renewable energy and space research: India and the UAE are linked by our common desire to build a resilient modern strategic partnership. This desire has become more manifest […]
Emirati and Indian musicians release song to celebrate their countries’ friendship – video January 25, 2017 A song produced by Indian and Emirati artists evokes a fusion of melodies and the connection between both nations ahead of India’s Republic Day. The song was released to celebrate the visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to […]
Jan 25, 2017 11:55 am IST India will put its military hardware on display Thursday, as the country celebrates its 68th Republic Day in New Delhi. A parade along the city’s ceremonial boulevard Raj Path, which starts at 9 a.m. India time (10.30 p.m. ET), will showcase Indian culture and the country’s achievements in the fields of science and technology. The celebrations, which mark the day the […]
Jan 24, 2017 10:47 am IST President Donald Trump is set to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, the White House announced, without providing details about the planned phone call. The conversation will be among several between Mr. Trump and other world leaders this week as he begins his duties as U.S. president. He has already spoken with the leaders of Egypt, Israel, Canada and […]
During his campaign, President Donald Trump assailed a skilled-worker visa program used to send foreigners to the U.S., and in his inaugural speech Friday he said the country would “follow two simple rules; buy American and hire American.” Indian outsourcing firms are already preparing for potential changes to visa rules, which could present a challenge because they send thousands of workers to the U.S. every year via […]
DUBAI // Beyond the opportunity to earn higher wages, the decision to live in the UAE, for most Indians, is directly linked to a sense of belonging and an emotional connection. Indian expatriates see cultural similarities in their adopted country – such as the focus on family, an appreciation of the arts, music and poetry – that encourage them to raise their families in the UAE. “I […]
Fans of the Indian sport of bull taming clashed with police in Chennai, capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu Monday, a day after two men were killed by a bull at an event in the state. India’s government on Saturday temporarily allowed the sport, known as Jallikattu, which was banned in 2014 by the country’s highest court over animal-cruelty concerns. Two men died Sunday after being […]
Jan 23, 2017 11:59 am IST When Donald Trump was inaugurated Friday, people tuned in from across the world to watch. In India, Devita Saraf, CEO of Vu Televisions, celebrated the event with a full-page advertisement in the Times of India—the country’s biggest English-language newspaper. “Congratulations, Mr. President,” said the ad which was a photo of Mr. Trump and Ms. Saraf when they met at an event in […]
PayTM, the Alibaba-backed Indian smartphone payments platform, plans to enter the asset management market a month before it begins banking operations in the country. The group, which has attracted more than 170m users since it started seven years ago, told the FT that its aggressive strategy to disrupt traditional finance will soon extend to loans, wealth management and mutual fund products. The move could give PayTM an even […]
Shah Rukh Khan has had a busy few weeks, almost single-handedly promoting his new film, the crime drama Raees (Wealthy). The 51-year-old Indian superstar, who visited Dubai for a press conference and meet-and-greet with fans at Bollywood Parks on Saturday, has had to do without help from his co-star, Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, while publicising the film in India and overseas. A recent ban by the Film […]
In Bollywood circles, Hrithik Roshan’s new movie, Kaabil, has been described as a “comeback”. The 43-year-old heart-throb is one of the most recognisable stars in Hindi cinema, but following 2014’s widely panned action comedy Bang Bang!, and the financial flop of last year’s Mohenjo Daro, the consensus is that the star of superhero franchise Krrish needs a critical and commercial success to get his career back on […]
